You Are What You Eat...

Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast

2012-02-01T21:54:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 pkgs chipped beef, chopped
1/4 c butter
1/4 c flour
2 c milk
Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Melt butter in pan over medium heat. Mix in flour and pepper with a whisk. Add milk slowly, mixing constantly.
Bring to simmer and add beef. Simmer 5 minutes or until thickened.
Serve over toast.

Crock Pot Apple Butter

2012-02-01T21:30:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

5 1/2 pounds apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
4 cups sugar (I used 2 cups honey and 1 cup brown sugar with great results!)
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

Place apples in crock pot. In a bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Pour over the apples and mix well.
Cover and cook on High for 1 hour.
Reduce heat to Low and cook 9-11 hours, stirring occasionally. Mixture should thicken and turn dark brown.
Uncover and continue cooking on Low for 1 hour. If you like your butter to be smooth, stir with a whisk.
Spoon into containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

2012-02-01T21:20:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

1 c butter, softened
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg white chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350.
With mixer, cream butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir into creamed mixture. Fold in the white chocolate chips.
Drop cookies onto cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Healthful Carrot Apple Muffins

2012-01-28T16:45:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 c grated carrots
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1/4 c milk
1/4 c canola oil
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tin with muffin papers.
In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Gradually add the carrot mixture to the flour mixture, stirring just until blended.
Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake about 20 minutes.

Brownies from Scratch

2012-01-28T16:29:00.001-06:00

I never buy brownie mixes anymore...these are just SO good and come together so easily with things I always have in the pantry anyway!

Ingredients:

1/2 c vegetable oil
1 c white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x9in baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In another bowl, mix together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Beat in eggs. Fold in dry ingredients. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
Bake 20-25 minutes, or until brownie begins to pull away from edges of pan. Cool on wire rack.
I like to top it with Chocolate Chip Frosting.

Baked Pineapple Dessert

2012-01-28T16:09:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

Fresh pineapple chunks
Brown sugar
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
1-2 TBS melted butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375.
Place pineapple chunks in baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Add a few dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Drizzle with melted butter.
Bake for about 20 minutes. Look for the brown sugar to melt and start to caramelize, and the edges of the pineapple to brown slightly.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before enjoying over a bowl of ice cream!

Baked Veggie Pasta

2012-01-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 TBS olive oil
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 lb ground beef
12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
About 12 oz pasta sauce
1 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-low heat. Saute peppers, onions, and garlic just until softened. Add ground beef and brown, keeping drippings in the pan for flavor. Remove from heat and add pasta and pasta sauce, stirring until well-coated.
Spoon half of the mixture into a 2-qt baking dish, cover with half of the cheese. Repeat with remaining pasta and cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Spicy Mexican Shredded Beef

2012-01-28T15:51:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 4-5 pound chuck roast (venison works great too!)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1 1/4 cups diced green chile peppers
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
5 oz hot pepper sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Water

Instructions:

Season roast with salt and pepper. Place in crock pot and sprinkle onion over meat. Add remaining ingredients. Pour in enough water to cover 1/3 of the roast.
Cover and cook on High for 6 hours, then reduce to Low for 2-4 more hours. Meat is done when it is tender enough to fall apart. Shred meat.
For burritos, place shredded meat in a frying pan with a cup of the cooking liquid. Simmer until thickened.
Also great in enchiladas.

Chewy Healthful Granola Bars

2012-01-28T15:10:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

2 c rolled oats
3/4 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c wheat germ (if you don't have any, just use that much more oats)
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c dried cranberries (or raisins, if you prefer)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 c honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c applesauce or pumpkin puree
2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 pan.
In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients (including the cranberries). Make a well in the center and pour the honey, egg, applesauce, and vanilla inside. Mix well.
Pat mixture evenly into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until bars begin to turn golden around the edges. Cool 5 minutes on wire rack, then cut into bars. Remove from pan and allow to finish cooling on wire rack. Store in airtight container.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins with Streusel

2012-01-28T14:36:00.000-06:00

Adapted from This Hungry Mama Bakes.

Ingredients:

Filling -

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c powdered sugar

Muffins -

1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 c and 2 TBS vegetable oil
1 c sugar
1 c pumpkin puree

Streusel topping -

1/4 c sugar
2 TBS and 1/2 tsp flour
2 TBS butter
3/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Filling -

Whip cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Form into a log on plastic wrap, making sure that the diameter is small enough to fit into the wells of the muffin pan. Wrap the log tightly and freeze until slightly hardened, about 2 hours.

Muffins -

Preheat oven to 350. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, salt, and baking soda.
With electric mixer, mix eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and pumpkin puree. Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.

Streusel Topping -

Combine all ingredients except butter in a small bowl. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Assembly -

Fill each muffin well halfway with batter. Divide cream cheese log into 12 equal slices. Place one slice in each muffin well. Divide remaining batter amongst muffins. Sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter.
Bake 20-25 minutes.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

2012-01-28T14:20:00.000-06:00

Adapted from This Hungry Mama Bakes.

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 1/2 cups puffed rice
1 TBS pumpkin pie spice
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c pumpkin puree
1/4 c applesauce
1/4 c maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c dried cranberries
1 c unsweetened coconut flakes
1 c slivered almonds

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325. Spray jelly roll pan generously with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine oats & puffed rice.
In a medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the cranberries, coconut, and almonds. Whisk until smooth.
Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients. Fold together until well-coated.
Spread in pan in an even layer. Bake 30 minutes. Using a large spatula, turn the granola over. Sprinkle with cranberries, coconut, and almonds. Bake an additional 15 minutes. If necessary, flip the granola again and bake 10-15 more minutes. The granola around the edges may get done sooner than the rest, so remove that if necessary.
Allow granola to cool, then break up and store in an airtight container.

Chicken Broccoli Bake

2012-01-28T09:36:00.002-06:00

Adapted from This Hungry Mama Bakes.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
1 can Fit & Active cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mayo made with olive oil
Curry powder to taste
2 cups cooked broccoli
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups corn flakes
1/2 T butter, melted

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350.
Spread shredded chicken in bottom of 2 qt baking dish.
In a bowl, mix soup, mayo, and curry powder. Spread over chicken. Top with broccoli and cheddar cheese.
In another bowl, stir melted butter and corn flakes. Sprinkle over cheese.
Bake 25-30 minutes. Serve over rice.

Southwestern Chicken Stir-Fry

2012-01-27T21:59:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 TBS lime juice
2 tsp chili powder
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow summer squash
2 TBS vegetable oil
1/3 c medium picante sauce
2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

Mix lime juice and chili powder in resealable bag; stir in chicken. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes.
Cut zucchini and yellow squash into thin slices.
Heat 1 TBS vegetable oil in wok over high heat. Add chicken and marinade. Stir fry until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove from wok.
Add remaining tablespoon of oil to the wok. Add zucchini and yellow squash. Stir fry until vegetables are crisp-tender.
Add chicken, picante sauce and cilantro to the wok. Cook and stir until heated through.

Peaches & Cream

2010-11-24T11:50:00.002-06:00

This is such a delicious summer-y dessert that is sure to please a crowd! The only hang-up is that you have to plan ahead for this one to give everything enough time to chill!

Ingredients:

Crust-

1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
2 TBS sugar

Filling-

8 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
8 oz cool whip

Topping-

1 cup sugar
3 TBS cornstarch
1 1/4 cups cold water
3 oz dry peach Jell-o
5 cups peeled & sliced peaches (If you want to 'cheat' and use canned peaches, you'll still come out with awesome results, so don't feel a bit guilty about taking a shortcut! Just be sure to drain them!) ;)

Instructions:

Crust-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, stir sugar and flour together. Melt butter and add to sugar & flour mixture. Press into 9" x 13" pan.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Filling-

Whip all 3 ingredients together until they reach the consistency of melted marshmallows.
Spread on cooled crust.

Topping-

Combine first 3 ingredients in a small pan. Heat to boiling. Boil until thick.
Remove from heat and add Jell-o. Stir until dissolved.
Place peaches in a bowl. Pour Jell-o mixture over them and stir well. Cool completely.
Spoon cooled peach mixture over crust and filling. Chill for at least one hour.

Apple Cranberry Crisp

2010-11-24T11:42:00.002-06:00

A yummy twist on the classic apple crisp! The cranberries make for great eye appeal, too!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup and 1/2 TBS flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (quick-cooking works fine too)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
4 apples, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup dried cranberries (fresh or frozen are great too!)
1/4 cup maple syrup

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter square pan.
Combine 3/4 cup flour, brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender. Fold in pecans. Set aside.
Place apples in pan. Add cranberries, maple syrup, and remaining flour. Mix well.
Spread topping over apple mixture.
Bake 40-50 minutes.

Taco Seasoning

2010-11-24T11:36:00.002-06:00

This delicious recipe will season about 1 pound of ground or shredded beef or chicken. Just so you know, it is a little spicier than the store-bought versions you might be used to!

Ingredients:

1 TBS chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Measure all into a small bowl. Stir well.
Add seasoning mixture to cooked meat along with about 2/3 cup water. Stir and simmer until liquid has simmered down.

Chicken Fried Rice

2010-11-24T11:18:00.003-06:00

This is a very easy recipe! Just make sure you use cold cooked rice, so PLAN AHEAD! If you have one, you're going to want to use a large wok for this recipe; otherwise, it's hard to keep it all contained once you put all the ingredients together!

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked white rice, COLD (I like to do half brown, half white rice)
5 or 6 green onions
2 or 3 eggs
2 or 3 TBS water
Butter
1 cup peas, cooked
1 cup carrots, cooked
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (should yield about 1 cup chopped cooked chicken)
Ground black pepper, to taste
2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced
About 1 TBS vegetable oil
Soy sauce to taste

Instructions:

Cook rice and refrigerate until completely cooled.
Chop green onions.
In a small bowl, beat 1 egg with 1 TBS water. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add egg and leave flat for a couple minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds. Repeat with second egg. Set aside.
Cook peas & carrots to desired tenderness. Drain & set aside.
Meanwhile, cook chicken breast in wok, seasoning with black pepper and adding minced garlic toward the end of the cook time. Chop chicken and set aside.
Heat oil in wok. Add rice, onions, peas, carrots, chicken, and soy sauce. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes. Stir in egg. Serve hot.

Yield: This recipe will serve 2-3 people.

Jeweled Bars

2010-11-24T11:02:00.002-06:00

These are very easy to make and look beautiful (not to mention how good they taste!). If you don't like an ingredient, substitute something similar that you do like. You almost can't mess this one up!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips (dark chocolate chips or a mixture of the two are good too!)
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flaked coconut (Jordan doesn't like coconut, so I've substituted sliced almonds with very yummy results!)
1 cup pecan halves

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13" x 9" pan with non-stick cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom of prepared pan.
In the same bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; mix well. Gently spread over crust.
Bake for 25-28 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Graham Crackers

2010-11-16T16:45:00.002-06:00

Serena LOVES these! I love them too because they are much better for her than the ones in the store, plus they are very easy to make!

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, chilled & cubed
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixer, combine first 6 ingredients. Add butter and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add honey & water until combined.
Take a portion of the dough (an amount you can easily handle...I usually take a softball-sized chunk) and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4" thickness. Cut out shapes and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 14-15 minutes.
Continue until all the dough is used.
If desired, you can freeze the shapes before baking them and then bake them as needed. To do this, place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes. Then, place the frozen cookies in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 4 months. To bake, add an additional 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

Beef Enchiladas

2010-11-16T16:17:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

1 lb ground or shredded beef (great way to use up leftover roast!)
1 onion, chopped
1 pkg dry enchilada sauce mix
10 10" flour tortillas
1 1/2 + 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook meat with onion in a skillet. Drain.
Prepare enchilada sauce according to package directions. Pour 1/4 cup of sauce in a 9" x 13" pan.
Divide the meat and cheese evenly amongst the flour tortillas. Roll tortillas tightly and place seam-side down in baking dish.
Pour remaining sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake 20 minutes. Serve with your favorite toppings (i.e., lettuce, cilantro, olives, sour cream, etc.)

Peach Shortcakes

2010-11-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/4 cup + 2 tsp sugar, divided
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp lemon zest
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1/3 cup + 1 TBS milk, divided
3 large fresh peaches, sliced
1 1/2 TBS lemon juice
1 cup thawed whipped topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix flour, 2 TBS sugar, baking powder, and zest in large bowl. Cut in cream cheese with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/3 cup milk until mixture becomes dough.
Divide dough into 8 equal balls. Place on baking sheet. Flatten to 1/2" thickness and brush tops with remaining milk. Sprinkle with 2 tsp sugar.
Bake 12-15 minutes.
Combine peaches, remaining sugar, and lemon juice.
To serve, cut shortcakes in half and fill with peaches and whipped topping.

Spinach & Cheese Calzone

2010-10-14T14:56:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 pound refrigerated pre-mixed bread dough
1 or 2 large garlic cloves, minced
1-2 TBS olive oil
1/2 cup fresh or thawed & drained frozen spinach leaves
1 egg
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1/4 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
cornmeal or whole wheat flour for the pizza peel or pan

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees with a baking stone. Place an empty broiler tray on any other shelf that won't interfere with the calzone as it rises.
Briefly sauté the garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until fragrant. Add the spinach leave and sauté until wilted. Drain and squeeze the spinach gently.
Beat the egg and blend with the ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix the spinach with the cheese.
If you have a pizza peel, liberally cover it with whole wheat flour or cornmeal. If you don't have a pizza peel, you can use a cookie sheet with no sides or even just the back of a cookie sheet with sides. In this case, you should grease the surface before sprinkling with flour or cornmeal.
Take your 1-lb hunk of dough (about grapefruit size) and quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface of the dough around to the bottom on all four sides, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go. The dough should stretch pretty easily, and I often do most of the stretching with my hands. You can use a rolling pin if you like. Either way, get that dough spread nice and thin on the cookie sheet or pizza peel.

Cover half of the dough with the cheese-spinach mixture, leaving a 1" border at the edge.

Carefully wet the border of the dough with a little water. Fold the bare side of the dough over the filling and seal the border by pinching it closed. Cut three slits in the top crust, all the way through the dough, using a serrated knife.

If you used a pizza peel, you can slide the calzone directly onto the hot stone in the oven. If you used a cookie sheet, you will have to place the cookie sheet on the stone and bake for about 12 minutes before you can slide the calzone onto the stone for the rest of the bake time. Either way, after you place the calzone in the oven, pour 1 cup of hot tap water into the broiler tray and quickly close the oven door. Bake for a total of 25 minutes.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set a bit.

Enjoy!

Simple Goodness Trail Mix

2010-05-06T15:57:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups plain almonds
2 cups golden raisins
2 cups dried cranberries
2 cups dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

Measure all ingredients into a gallon zip-lock bag. Zip the opening and shake to mix. ENJOY!

Chicken & Pepper Fajitas

2010-05-06T15:50:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

Olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in thin strips
2 TBS lime juice
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cumin
8 flour tortillas, warmed

Instructions:

In a large non-stick skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell peppers, and jalapeño peppers about 12 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove from pan and set aside.
Heat more olive oil in the same skillet and add chicken. Sauté chicken until cooked through. Return pepper mixture to pan and add lime juice, chili powder, and cumin. Cook a minute or two until heated through.
Serve in tortillas. Garnish to taste with cheddar cheese, cilantro, lettuce, and sour cream.

String Pie

2010-05-05T21:47:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

8 oz spaghetti noodles
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
2 TBS butter, melted
2 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese
24 oz spaghetti sauce
1 lb ground beef, cooked
mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9"x13" pan.
Cook noodles according to package instructions.
Combine Parmesan cheese, butter, and eggs. Stir into the cooked and drained noodles. Spread in the bottom of the pan.
Layer cottage cheese, spaghetti sauce, and ground beef on top of the noodles.
Bake about 50 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella on top and continue baking for 10-15 minutes.

Mom Horak's Rotini Salad

2010-05-05T19:11:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

(for dressing)

1 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1 cup vinegar
1 TBS salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 TBS garlic powder
1/4 cup parsley
3 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano

(for salad)

1 lb rotini pasta
1 medium onion, diced
1 cucumber, peeled & diced
1 jar pimientos
1 green pepper, chopped
radishes, thinly sliced
tomatoes, diced

Instructions:

Mix dressing ingredients in a glass container and allow to sit in refrigerator overnight.
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Combine all ingredients and add dressing. Store in the refrigerator and serve chilled.

Tuscan Chicken Simmer

2010-05-05T19:02:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 lb)
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup pesto
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
1 cup shredded Italian five-cheese blend or mozzarella cheese
4 servings of penne or fettuccine pasta

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to package instructions.
Cut chicken into bite-sized strips. Saute in olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Add cream cheese, water, pesto and tomatoes to skillet. Cook on medium heat about 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and serve over pasta.

Crock Pot Italian Shredded Beef

2010-05-05T17:53:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

3 cups water
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp onion salt
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf
1 .7-oz package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
Sliced onions
1 5-lb rump roast (venison roast works great, too!)

Instructions:

In a saucepan, combine all ingredients except onions and roast. Stir well and bring to a boil.
Place roast in crock pot and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat. Add onions.
Cover and cook on Low for 10-12 hours, or on High for 4-5 hours.
When done, remove bay leaf and shred the meat with a fork.
Serve on French bread.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumb Pie

2010-05-05T17:44:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

(for filling)

1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 TBS all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2" pieces
1 pint fresh strawberries, halved

(for topping)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking or rolled oats
1/2 cup cold butter

Instructions:

Prepare pie shell.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, beat egg. Add sugar, flour, and vanilla; mix well. Gently fold in rhubarb and strawberries. Pour into pie shell.
In another bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and oats. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the fruit.
Bake pie at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.

Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies

2010-05-05T17:33:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

(for cookies)

1 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 TBS molasses
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups quick oats

(for filling)

2 tsp very hot water
1/4 tsp salt
1 7-oz jar marshmallow cream
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, cream butter and the sugars. Add molasses, vanilla, and eggs.
In another bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the oats.
Drop dough on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6-7 minutes. Do not overbake; they should look moist.
In a small bowl, dissolve the salt in the hot water. Allow to cool.
Combine marshmallow cream, shortening, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a separate bowl and whip until fluffy. Add the salt water and mix well.
Spread the filling on the flat side of half of one cookie and press the second cookie on top.

5-Minute Artisan Bread

2010-05-05T17:16:00.006-05:00

Ingredients:

3 cups hot water
1 1/2 TBS instant dry yeast
1 1/2 TBS Kosher salt
6 1/2 cups unbleached flour

Instructions to make dough:

Mix all ingredients in a 5 qt. ice cream bucket until moistened (3-5 minutes). Let it rest on the counter loosely covered for at least 2 hours while getting a good rise.
After 2 hours, place bucket of dough in the refrigerator. If using a glass container do not seal tightly, otherwise it is okay to do so after 48 hours.
You may use the dough immediately or anytime after the 2 hour rise.

Instructions to make French bread:

Lightly grease a cookie sheet where the dough will be (if the cookie sheet has sides, use the underside).
Reach in to the bucket of dough and grab desired amount of dough. If necessary, lightly dust with flour to 'cloak' the dough (not to knead in but to make it more manageable); though I have never found that necessary. Shape the dough as desired and place on greased cookie sheet. Do not knead the dough or handle it a lot.

After 20 minutes, preheat oven to 450° with a baking stone in the oven and a broiler pan on a rack beneath. Set timer for another 20 minutes.
When timer goes off, gently score the top of the bread a few times with a bread knife. Next, place the cookie sheet on top of the stone in the oven and pour one cup water into the broiler pan. Bake for 30 minutes. After 15 minutes of baking, you can slide the bread off of the cookie sheet onto the stone for the remainder of the time.
Cool completely on a rack before cutting (if you can wait!). Store cut-side down on a wooden cutting board or in a paper sack (plastic will make the crust soft).

Instructions for pizza crust:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Sprinkle pizza stone liberally with cornmeal. Reach into bucket and grab out the desired amount of dough. Place on stone and spread out to shape. Top as desired. Just for fun, we've been substituting Italian diced tomatoes (drained) for the pizza sauce! Very yummy!
Bake for about 15 minutes.

Starbucks Cooler Frappuccino

2010-05-05T17:12:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:

8-12 cups strong brewed coffee
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
coffee ice cubes

Instructions:

Mix coffee and sweetened condensed milk in a glass pitcher. Serve chilled and/or over coffee ice cubes. Store in the refrigerator.

Pork Kabobs,

2010-05-04T15:59:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Pork tenderloin, cut into cubes
Red bell pepper, cut into wedges then halved
Yellow bell pepper, cut into wedges then halved
Zucchini squash, cut in about 1/2" slices
Seasoning or pork rub

Instructions:

Soak kabobs for at least 15 minutes
Thread pork pieces and veggies onto kabobs. Sprinkle with seasoning.
Grill over medium-high heat until cooked through, sprinkling with seasoning one more time when you turn them.
Serve with rice.

Club Quesadillas

2009-10-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Tortillas
Deli-sliced oven-roasted turkey
Shredded cheddar cheese
1 each, green and red peppers, chopped
Bacon bits
Kraft 3-Cheese Ranch Dressing

Instructions:

Pour a little olive oil in a pan and heat over medium heat.
Place tortilla on a plate. Put turkey meat, chopped peppers, bacon bits, and cheese on one half of the tortilla. Fold tortilla over and place in pan. Heat each side until lightly browned and crispy.
Serve with dressing.

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

2009-10-01T16:47:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

1/4 cup + 2 TBS Kraft Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette dressing
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 tomato, finely shopped
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil leaves

Instructions:

Place chicken breasts in resealable plastic bag with 1/4 cup of dressing for 10 minutes-1 hour to marinate in the refrigerator.
Remove chicken from marinade; discard bag and marinade.
In a bowl, combine tomatoes, cheese, basil, and 2 TBS of dressing.
Place a large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of the grill grate. Preheat grill to medium heat.
Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill about 6 minutes. Turn chicken over; place cooked-side up on foil on grill. Top evenly with tomato mixture. Close lid. Grill an additional 8 minutes.

*Serve with buttered egg noodles.

Stuffed Fiesta Burgers

2009-10-01T15:36:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1/4 cup chive & onion cream cheese spread
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 hamburger buns, split, and lightly toasted
Salsa
Sliced avocado

Instructions:

Mix meat and seasoning mix. Shape into 8 thin patties.
Mix cream cheese spread and shredded cheese. Spoon about 2 TBS of the cheese mixture onto the center of each of 4 patties; top with second patty. Pinch edges of patties together to seal.
Grill patties 7-9 minutes per side over medium heat.
Serve with toasted hamburger buns, salsa, and avocado.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Thins

2009-10-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

8 oz chocolate-flavored almond bark
Peanut butter
1 sleeve Ritz crackers

Instructions:

Microwave chocolate in a small bowl as directed on package.
Spread peanut butter on the Ritz crackers. Dip into chocolate. Place on wax paper-covered cookie sheets.
Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

Mint Thins

2009-10-01T15:24:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

8 oz chocolate-flavored almond bark
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
1 peppermint candy cane, crushed

Instructions:

Microwave chocolate in a small bowl as directed on package. Blend in extract.
Dip crackers into melted chocolate. Place on wax paper-covered baking sheets. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane.
Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

Luscious Four-Layer Pumpkin Cake

2009-10-01T15:17:00.001-05:00

Instructions:

1 yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 8-oz tub whipped topping
1/4 cup caramel topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9" round cake pans.
Beat cake mix, 1 cup of the pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs, and 1 tsp of the pumpkin pie spice together until well-blended. Pour evenly into prepared pans.
Bake 28-30 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
Beat cream cheese in a small bowl until creamy. Add sugar, remaining pumpkin, and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice. Stir in the whipped topping.

To assemble the cake:

Cut each cake layer horizontally in half with serrated knife. (In order to make a clean, straight cut through the middle of the cake, place toothpicks around the cake as a guide and cut in a gentle sawing motion.) Stack layers on a serving plate, spreading the cream cheese filling between layers (but do not frost the top of the cake). Drizzle cake with caramel topping just before serving. If you would like, sprinkle with pecans. Store leftover cake in the refrigerator.

Egg Drop Soup

2009-10-01T15:08:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken broth
1/8 tsp ground ginger
2 TBS fresh chives, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 TBS cornstarch
2 eggs
1 egg yolk

Instructions:

Whisk together the eggs and egg yolk with a fork in a bowl.
Reserve 3/4 cup broth; pour rest into the pan. Stir in salt, ginger, and chives. Bring to a rolling boil.
In a separate bowl, stir remaining broth and the cornstarch together.
Drizzle the egg a little at a time into the boiling broth. Stir in cornstarch mixture until desired consistency is reached.

Apple Bread

2009-10-01T15:01:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups apples, diced
3 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Grease and flour 2 regular loaf pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to first mixture. Fold in apples. Pour batter into pans.
Bake 70 minutes or until center of loaf springs back when pressed gently with finger.
Cool by setting pan on its side for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove bread from pan and place right-side-up on wire rack until completely cooled.

Strawberry White Chocolate Shortcakes

2009-10-01T14:54:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/3 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup milk
3 TBS sugar
3 TBS butter, melted
1 cup white chocolate chips
Whipped topping

Instructions:

Mix strawberries and 1/2 cup sugar in a bowl. Place in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Stir Bisquick, milk, 3 TBS sugar, and butter until soft dough forms. Fold in white chocolate chips. Drop by 6 spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

To Serve:

Split warm shortcakes; fill and top with strawberries and whipped topping. Jordan likes a scoop of vanilla ice cream with it too! ;)

Zesty Grilled Veggies

2009-10-01T14:08:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

2 zucchini, cut diagonally into 1/2" slices
1 or 2 each red and yellow peppers, cut into 1/2" strips
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Place veggies in a grill basket. If you don't have one, you can spread some tin foil over the grill and place the veggies on that. Grill the veggies about 10 minutes over medium heat, turning occasionally.
Place grilled veggies in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

2009-10-01T13:58:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

4 oz butter (1 stick), softened
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Grease and flour 9"x5"x3" loaf pan.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Stir into first mixture just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour butter into prepared pan. Bake 60-70 minutes, or until the middle springs back when gently pressed with finger.
Cool pan on its side on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove bread from pan and place right-side-up on wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Tuscan Garlic Chicken (Olive Garden's Recipe)

2009-10-01T12:31:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups flour
1 TBS salt
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
1 pound penne pasta
1 TBS minced garlic
1 red pepper, julienne cut
1/2 cups white wine (can substitute white grape juice)
1/2 pound whole leaf spinach, stemmed
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions:

To prepare the chicken:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine the flour, salt, black pepper, and Italian herb seasoning in a shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the mixture, shaking off any excess.
Saute the chicken in a large, non-stick oven-proof skillet with enough oil to coat the pan over medium-high heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crisp.
When finished, transfer the oven-proof skillet to the oven. Cook for approximately 15 minutes or until cooked through.

To prepare the pasta:

Cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside until needed.

To prepare the sauce:

While the pasta is cooking, heat some oil in a saute pan. Add the garlic and the red pepper and cook for approximately 1 minute. Slowly add a tablespoon of flour and stir to combine. Add the white wine and bring to a boil for about 1 minute. Add the spinach and the cream and bring mixture to a boil. The sauce is done cooking when the spinach appears wilted. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

To finish the entree:

Parly coat the pasta with the sauce and transfer to a large bowl. Cut up the chicken and put it on top of the pasta. Cover with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-04-28T22:42:00.005-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
1 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
With an electric mixer, stir butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs; mix well.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture.
Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chips.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfulls onto cookie sheets. Bake about 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

**Yields about 40 cookies.

Nestle Toll House Pie

2008-04-28T10:25:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

Pastry for one-crust pie
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Prepare pie shell.
Beat eggs with mixer on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into pie shell.
Bake for 55-60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm with ice cream, if desired.

**To reheat, bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Molten Chocolate Cakes

2008-02-28T16:31:00.003-06:00

Ingredients:

4 squares chocolate-flavored almond bark
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbs. flour

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 10 regular-sized muffin cups.
Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk. Stir in flour. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups.
Bake 10 min. or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto a cookie sheet. Serve immediately with ice cream.

Yield: 10 servings

*Batter can be made a day ahead! Prepare batter as directed; pour into prepared muffin cups. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before baking as directed. (It is very important to let them return to room temperature before baking!)
**Leftovers should be kept in the refrigerator. They can be warmed up in the oven or microwave and taste just as good as they did fresh!

No-Bake Cookies

2008-02-11T22:02:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 stick butter
1/2 cup milk
2 cups sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
4 TBS peanut butter
3 cups old-fashioned oats

Instructions:

Place chocolate chips, peanut butter, and oats in a large mixing bowl.
Combine the butter, milk, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil; boil and stir for 1 min.
Add the hot mixture to the chocolate mixture; stir well.
Drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Put in the fridge for about 10 minutes to harden.

Taco Shells

2008-02-11T21:33:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 egg

Instructions:

Heat skillet to medium-high heat.
It's just like making pancakes! Pour about 1/4 cup batter on skillet. Turn skillet to spread batter to about 6" diameter; shell will be thin. Watch the edges to harden and bubble. Flip taco shell over and cook the other side. Continue until all the batter is used.
Serve with your favorite taco fillings.

Chocolate Revel Bars

2007-12-07T11:05:00.001-06:00

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 12-oz. package semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Set aside 2 TBS of the butter. In a large mixing bowl beat the remaining butterwith an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar; beat until well mixed. Beat in eggs and 2 tsp. vanilla.
In another large bowl stir together flour and baking soda; stir in oats. Gradually stir dry mixture into beaten mixture. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan combine the reserved butter, the sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips. Cook over low heat until the chocolate melts, stirring occasionally (this can also be done in the microwave). Remove from heat. Stir in the 2 tsp. vanilla.
Press two-thirds (about 3-1/3 cups) of the oat mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 15"x10"x1" baking pan. Spread chocolate mixture over the oat mixture. Using your fingers, dot remaining oat mixture over the chocolate.
Bake about 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned (chocolate mixture will still look moist). Cool on a wire rack before cutting into bars.

Chocolate Cranberry Oat Bars

2007-12-07T10:52:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) margarine, softened
1-1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 13"x9" baking pan with cooking spray.
Combine cranberries and orange juice in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Let stand 10 min.
Meanwhile, combine flour, oats, baking powder and salt; set aside.
Beat margarine and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir in cranberry mixture, chocolate and pecans.
Spread dough into prepared pan.
Bake 25-30 min. or until lightly browned and middle is set.
Cool completely on wire rack before cutting into bars.

Jeweled Spinach Salad

2007-12-02T17:15:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

8 servings fresh spinach leaves
1 pomegranate, seeded
2-3 apples, cut in thin, bite-size slices
Shredded Parmesan cheese
Poppy-seed dressing

Instructions:

Mix first three ingredients in a large bowl. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
Serve with poppy-seed dressing.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

2007-12-01T21:52:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a muffin pan by lining 12 baking cups with paper cups.
Cream the first 5 ingredients.
In a separate bowl, stir together the dry ingredients, except the chocolate chips. Gradually add dry ingredients to the batter. Stir in chocolate chips.
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool on wire racks.

Julia's Beef Stew

2007-10-29T12:31:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

3 carrots, cut up
3 potatoes, cut up
2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut in 1 1/2" cubes
1 cup water or beef stock
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
salt to taste
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
3 onions, quartered
1 stalk celery with tops, cut up

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in order listed in the crock pot, stirring just enough to mix the spices.
Place lid on crock pot and set on Low for 10-12 hours, or on High 4-5 hours. Do not remove lid until at least the minimum cook time has expired!

Southwestern Stroganoff

2007-10-25T08:53:00.000-05:00

***This is one of Jordan's favorites...and I love it because it's so easy!!!
Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
2 cups wide egg noodles
1 cup water
1 16-oz jar salsa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions:

In a saucepan, brown the ground beef. Drain.
Add egg noodles, water, salsa, and salt to the beef in the saucepan. Bring to a rapid boil. Turn heat down and simmer covered for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in sour cream.
Serve!

Yield: about 6 servings
*I usually make a half-recipe of this for Jordan and I.
**This recipe is great paired with Garlic and Cheese Biscuits!

Grandma Rabe's Microwave Peanut Brittle

2007-10-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

***This recipe was submitted by my Grandma Rabe. I have actually never made it, but she says it's great!

Ingredients:

2 cups raw peanuts
2 cups sugar
1 cup white corn syrup
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp margarine
2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

Lightly butter (do NOT use margarine for this!) a large baking sheet. Grandma uses a Formica 'sink cut-out' board.
In a 2-quart microwavable dish, stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt. Cook 7 minutes on high, stirring well after 3 ½ minutes.
Add margarine and vanilla. Cook 6 minutes on high.
Add baking soda and stir until light and foamy.
Pour onto baking sheet and spread thin as it cools, using spatula and fingers to pull it.
Break candy when cool.

**Note: this is the correct time using a 1100-watt microwave. For 1150 watt, cut back time to 6 ¼ minutes the first cook time, and 5 ¼ for the second cook time.

Cracker Barrel Biscuits Copy-Cat Recipe

2007-10-16T21:53:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup buttermilk (substitute: put 2 tsp vinegar in a measuring cup; add milk to make 2/3 cup; stir; allow to sit for 5 minutes before using)
1 tsp sugar
1 TBS butter, melted
Additional melted butter (about 1 TBS)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Mix Bisquick, buttermilk, and sugar together in a bowl. Add the melted butter. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Turn out onto a well-floured surface. Knead about 20 times, adding flour as necessary.
Roll 1/2" thick (or thicker if you prefer). Cut out biscuits (should get about 10).
Place biscuits close together on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Brush the tops of the biscuits with melted butter.
Bake 8-10 minutes.
Upon removing the biscuits from the oven, immediately brush the tops with melted butter again.
Serve warm!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies - VERY EASY VERSION

2007-10-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (substitute: 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, & 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix first 4 ingredients with mixer.
Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop dough by spoonfulls on pans.
Bake 11-14 minutes.
Cool cookies on wire racks, then frost with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.

Blueberry Banana Bread

2007-10-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquik
3/4 cup oatmeal
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup mashed bananas
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup blueberries (thawed & drained)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare loaf pan by greasing all sides.
Mix first six ingredients with mixer.
Fold in blueberries.
Pour batter into pan. Bake 45-55 minutes.
Allow bread to cool in pan for about 10 minutes. Then remove bread from pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Super-Duper Easy Caramel Rolls

2007-07-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
36 pecans
2 cups biscuit mix
1/2 cup cold water
Butter
Brown sugar
Ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Place 2 tsp. brown sugar, 2 tsp. butter, and 3 pecans in each of 12 regular-sized muffin baking cups. Place pan in oven until butter is melted.
In a medium mixing bowl, stir biscuit mix and cold water until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes. Form dough into a ball on a surface sprinkled with the biscuit mix. Knead 5 times. Roll dough into rectangle, 15"x9".
Spread rectangle with butter; sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up tightly, beginning at 15-inch side; pinch edge of dough into roll to seal. Cut into twelve equal slices. Place slices in muffin cups.
Bake 10 minutes. Immediately turn pan upside down onto heatproof serving plate. Leave pan over rolls a minute.

*Try topping with a little Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.

Green Chili Enchiladas

2007-06-28T20:58:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
4 oz. cream cheese
2 TBS chopped green chiles
6 flour tortillas for soft tacos and fajitas
1 10 oz. can Old El Paso green chile enchilada sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease square baking dish.
Saute chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat, sprinkle with your favorite seasoning, and stir occasionally, until no longer pink in center.
Add cream cheese and chiles; reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir until blended and cream cheese is melted.
Spoon chicken filling onto tortillas; roll up and place seam-side down in baking dish. Pour enchilada sauce over top; sprinkle with cheese.
Bake 15-20 minutes. Serve garnished with sour cream and cilantro.

Hot Fudge Sundae Cake

2007-06-28T20:54:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 TBS baking cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
2 TBS vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 3/4 cups very hot water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, 2 TBS cocoa, baking powder, and salt in ungreased 9"x9"x2" pan. Mix in milk, oil, and vanilla with fork until smooth. Spread in pan.
Sprinkle brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa over batter. Pour water evenly over batter.
Bake about 40 minutes or until top is dry. Cool 10 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.

Fruit Crisp

2007-06-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

4 cups fruit of your choice
1 cup + 2 TBS packed brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup oats
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 8"x8"x2" pan.
Spread fruit in pan.
In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Sprinkle over fruit.
Bake about 30 minutes.
Serve warm with ice cream.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

2007-06-28T20:44:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Pastry for 2-crust pie
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup flour
3 cups sliced strawberries
3 cups 1/2" pieces of rhubarb
1 TBS butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pastry.
Mix sugar and flour in a large bowl. Stir in fruit.
Turn into pastry-lined pie plate. Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle over rhubarb.
Cover with top pastry; seal, and cut slits in the top.
Bake about 55 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

Homemade Breadsticks

2007-06-28T20:34:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 1/2 -3 cups flour
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 1/4 tsp. regular or quick active dry yeast
3 TBS olive oil
1 cup very warm water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Grease a large bowl with shortening.
Mix 1 cup of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add oil and warm water. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed 3 minutes; scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough leaves sides of bowl.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and springy. Place dough in greased bowl, turning to grease on all sides. Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise about 30 minutes in a warm place.
Grease 2 cookie sheets with shortening and sprinkle with cornmeal.
Divide dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll and shape dough into 12" ropes. Place about 1/2 " apart on cookie sheets. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and allow to rise about 20 minutes in a warm place.
Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Bake 10-12 minutes. Serve warm.

Scones

2007-06-28T20:26:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour
3 TBS sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup firm butter
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup raisins
4-6 TBS half-n-half

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter. Stir in eggs, raisins, and just enough half-n-half until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface; gently roll in flour to coat. Knead lightly 10 times. Pat into an 8" circle on an ungreased cookie sheet. Dip a sharp knife in flour and cut circle into 8 wedges, but do not separate the wedges. Brush top with half-n-half and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 14-16 minutes or until golden. Immediately remove from cookie sheet and carefully separate the wedges. Serve warm.

Creamy Bow-Tie Pasta with Chicken & Broccoli

2007-06-28T20:11:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

3 cups bow-tie pasta, uncooked
4 cups broccoli florets
4 TBS Italian dressing
2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Italian seasoning and black pepper
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups tomato-basil spaghetti sauce
4 oz. cream cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking time.
Meanwhile, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken, and sprinkle with pepper and seasoning. Turn all pieces over and repeat on the other side. Allow to cook about 5 minutes. Add garlic to the skillet and cook about 3 more minutes.
Add pasta sauce and cream cheese to chicken in skillet. Cook on medium-low heat 2-3 minutes or until cream cheese is completely melted. Mixture should be well-blended and the chicken coated with sauce.
Drain pasta and broccoli. Return to pot and add chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

*Serving suggestion: Butter ciabata bread and sprinkle with garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, paprika, and parsley. Broil on high until bread begins to brown.

Rhubarb Muffins

2007-06-27T09:22:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Topping:

1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Muffins:

1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk*
1 1/2 cups diced rhubarb
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper baking cups.
In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour; set aside.
In another bowl, beat egg and brown sugar. Add oil. Mix well until blended. Stir in vanilla and buttermilk. Gently stir in rhubarb. Add flour mixture to batter and stir just until moistened.
Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin tins. Sprinkle topping mixture on top of each muffin.
Bake 20 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

*If you do not have any buttermilk, use this substitute:
For every cup of buttermilk needed, combine one cup milk with 1 TBS lemon juice or vinegar. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, and then mix well before using it in any recipe.

Blonde Brownies

2007-06-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 TBS hot water
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with cooking spray.
In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and mix in brown sugar and hot water. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix well.
Spread in pan and bake for 22 minutes.

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

2007-06-26T13:24:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

About 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into 1/2" strips
2/3 cup biscuit mix (i.e., Bisquik)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 egg
2 TBS butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
Melt butter in a small dish; set aside.
In another small dish, crack and lightly beat egg.
Dump all dry ingredients in a 1 gal. zip-lock bag and shake to mix.
Dip about half of the chicken strips into the egg and then put into the bag. Shake well to coat the pieces of chicken, then lay each piece on the cookie sheet. Repeat with second half of strips. Drizzle butter over chicken strips.
Bake for 12-14 minutes, turning about half-way through the time.

Dalmation Cupcakes

2007-06-25T16:58:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup semi-sweet regular chocolate chips
1 Betty Crocker Supermoist Devil's Food cake mix
1 tub Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy or Soft-Whipped Vanilla ready-to-serve frosting
About 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place paper baking cups in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and egg in a medium bowl on medium speed until smooth. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips; set aside.
Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Divide batter among muffin cups (about 1/4 cup in each). Top each with 1 TBS cream cheese mixture.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until tops spring back when touched lightly.
Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan onto wire racks; cool completely.
Frost tops with frosting and sprinkle on the mini chocolate chips.

Oven Caramel Popcorn

2007-06-25T16:54:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
6 quarts popped corn
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. butter flavoring

Instructions:

Grease 2 cake pans. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
In a pot over the stovetop, bring brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.
Remove mixture from heat and add salt, baking soda, and butter flavoring.
Pour popped corn into large bowl. Stir in caramel mixture until pieces are well-coated.
Spread caramel popcorn in pans. Place in oven at 200 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.
Store in airtight containers.

Grandma Rabe's Peanut Brittle

2007-06-25T16:49:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
2 cups sugar
1 cup white syrup
2 cups raw peanuts
2 TBS butter
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Butter two large cookie sheets. Be sure all ingredients are measured out and ready before beginning.
In a pot on the stovetop, bring the water to a boil. Add the sugar and the syrup; stir until dissolved. Continue to boil until the mixture will 'spin a thread.' Add peanuts and salt. Cook slowly over low heat until mixture turns golden brown (will be about 295 degrees).
Remove from heat, add butter, soda, and vanilla. Stir quickly (mixture begins to harden quickly!) and then spread on cookie sheets. As it cools, continue to pull candy with hands until thin.

Libby's Famous Pumpkin Pie

2007-06-25T16:38:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 16 oz. can solid pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 13 oz. can evaporated milk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Prepare pie crust.
Mix all ingredients in a mixing bowl in the order they are listed. Pour mixture into pie crust.
Bake pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 45 minutes.

Puppy Chow

2007-05-18T16:27:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips
9 cups Crispix cereal (or Rice Chex)
3-4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
Measure cereal into a large bowl that has a lid, alternating with the chocolate mixture. Mix with a spoon until cereal pieces are well-coated. Add 3 cups of powdered sugar, secure lid to the bowl, and shake well. Add more sugar as needed until all pieces are well-coated with sugar!

Banana Bread

2007-05-18T16:20:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
2 eggs, well beaten
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease bread pan.
Cream butter and sugar. Add mashed bananas and eggs; mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to first bowl and mix well.
Pour mixture into the bread pan. Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Taco Ring

2007-05-18T16:04:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 2/3 lbs. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
2 TBS water
2 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls (8 oz. each)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium green bell pepper, salsa, shredded lettuce, 1 medium tomato, 1/4 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup black olives, sour cream (optional topping suggestions)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a saucepan, brown ground beef. Add taco seasoning and water.
Unroll crescent roll dough and arrange the triangles in a circle on a pizza pan with the wide ends overlapping in the center.
Scoop ground beef mixture evenly onto the widest part of the dough. Sprinkle with cheese.
Bring the outside points of the dough over the filling and tuck under the wide ends of the dough in the center of the ring.
Bake about 20 minutes. Serve with toppings as desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings

Raisin - Oatmeal Cookies

2007-05-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 cup seedless raisins

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix egg whites, brown sugar, oil, vanilla, and milk with mixer.
In a separate bowl combine flour, soda, cinnamon, and oats. Add to first mixture and combine thoroughly. Stir in raisins with a spatula.
Drop cookies by spoonful onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Yield: about 3 dozen cookies

Apple Pie Filling

2007-05-18T11:57:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

6 cups sliced apples (Jonathons are a good choice)
1 cup sugar
2 rounding TBS of minute tapioca
Nutmeg

Instructions:

Mix first 3 ingredients. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Bake pie at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Then, turn oven down to 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Graham Streusel Cake

2007-05-17T15:57:00.001-05:00

Ingredients:

Crumb mixture:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 14 crackers)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

3/4 cup margarine or butter, melted

Cake batter:

1 pkg. supermoist yellow cake mix

1 cup cold water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

Powdered sugar glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 TBS cold water

Instructions:

Grease 13" x 9" pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl, mix cracker crumbs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Set aside.
In another bowl, mix cake mix, water, oil, and eggs with mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Pour 2 cups of the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle about 1/2 of the crumb mixture over the batter in the pan. Pour remaining batter over the crumb mixture in the pan. Sprinkle remaining crumb mixture on top.
Bake about 45 minutes. Allow to cool.
Meanwhile, prepare powdered sugar glaze by mixing powdered sugar and water in a small bowl. Add additional water until the desired consistency is reached. Drizzle cooled cake with powdered sugar glaze.

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Penne

2007-05-17T15:50:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

6 servings penne
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
3 TBS flour
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 cup milk
6 TBS butter
1/2 cup olive oil
6 TBS flour
2 tsp. garlic
1 cup water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups half-n-half
Mozzerella cheese

Instructions:

Cook pasta according to package instructions
Mix breadcrumbs, flour, and parmesan in a bowl. Dip the chicken strips into the breadcrumb mixture, then into the milk, and then back into the breadcrumb mixture. Saute the strips in olive oil.
Melt butter in a saucepan; add olive oil. Whisk in flour. Add garlic, water, and salt until blended. Mix in sour cream and half-n-half until smooth.
Toss the pasta with the white sauce. Top with chicken and mozzerella cheese.

Feather-Light Muffins

2007-05-17T15:42:00.003-05:00

Ingredients:

Muffins:

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 cup milk

Topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, and egg. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to creamed mixture, alternating with milk.
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.
Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool on wire racks 3-4 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Roll the warm muffins in the melted butter and then in the sugar mixture. Serve warm!

Yeild: 8-10 muffins

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

2007-04-12T16:31:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups elbow macaroni
4 + 1 TBS butter or margarine
3 TBS flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
2 oz. processed American cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 TBS dry bread crumbs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 13" x 9" baking dish.
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Place in baking dish.
In a saucepan, melt 4 TBS of butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes; reduce heat. Add cheeses, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted.
Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and mix well.
In a small bowl, melt the remaining butter and mix in the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Easy Cheese & Garlic Biscuits

2007-04-12T16:14:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups biscuit mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
2 TBS butter or margarine, melted
1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Stir first 3 ingredients until soft dough forms.
Drop 10 spoonfulls onto a cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix melted butter and garlic powder. After the biscuits are done baking, turn off the heat and remove the biscuits from the oven. Brush the butter over the tops of the biscuits. Pop the biscuits back into the warm oven for 1-2 minutes or until the rest of the meal is ready.

Bubble Bread

2007-04-12T15:21:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 TBS butter, softened
1 .7-oz. packet Italian dressing dry mix
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
French loaf

Instructions:

Set oven to broil.
Mix cream cheese, butter, and seasonings together in a bowl. Spread over loaf.
Cut loaf into serving-size pieces.
Broil in oven until topping is melted.

Mrs. Field's Chocolate Chip Cookies

2007-04-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 12-oz. package chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Measure oatmeal into a blender and chop into a powder.
Cream butter and sugar in a mixer. In a separate bowl, combine flour, powdered oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add eggs and vanilla to creamed mixture. Reduce mixer speed and gradually add dry mixture. Turn off mixer and stir in chocolate chips with a spatula.
Drop dough by spoonfulls onto cookie sheets.
Bake about 6 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Do not overbake.

JOY Club Chocolate Chip Cookies

2007-04-12T14:36:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 12-oz. package chocolate chips

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter and sugars for at least 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Add eggs and vanilla to creamed mixture. Reduce mixer speed and gradually add the flour mixture. Turn off mixer and use a spatula to mix in chocolate chips.
Drop cookie dough by spoonfulls onto cookie sheets.
Bake 5-6 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Do not overbake.

Grandma Rabe's Pie Crust

2007-04-12T14:21:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup crisco
4 TBS cold water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl. Cut in crisco until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle water (make sure the water is very cold) evenly over dough one TBS at a time, mixing with fork and then with hands, making dough into a ball.
Divide dough in half. Roll first half out into a thin circle. Fold gently in half and move into pie plate. To repair tears, pat cold water onto the dough and piece together. Cut off excess dough.
Add filling. Roll out second half of dough, adding the scraps from the first half. Add cold water around the edges of the bottom half of the dough. Place top half of dough on pie and pinch edges together. Cut slits in the top crust.
Bake pie for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 degrees and continue baking pie for 40-45 minutes.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2007-04-12T14:16:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup pancake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 TBS butter

Instructions:

Heat oven to 200 degrees.
Stir all ingredients (except the butter) in a bowl.
Melt the butter in a skillet on medium-high heat.
Continue as with regular pancakes; keep them warm in the oven until ready to serve.

Yeild: makes about 12 pancakes

Chocolate Drops

2007-04-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
2 squares semi-sweet chocolate almond bark, melted

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes. Then add egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to creamed mixture, alternating with milk.
Stir in melted chocolate.
Drop dough onto a cookie sheet.
Bake cookies 8-10 minutes.
Allow cookies to cool; then frost with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.

Peanut Butter Cups

2007-04-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 lbs. chocolate almond bark
Small cupcake liners

Instructions:

Heat peanut butter, sugar, and butter, stirring often.
Cool mixture in the refrigerator until firm enough to handle.
Roll into bite-size balls.
Melt almond bark (microwave is easiest; be careful not to burn it!). Dip the peanut butter balls in the melted chocolate, rolling until completely covered (using toothpicks to handle the balls works well). Place chocolate-covered balls in the cupcake liners. Allow to cool.

The Best Chicken Fettucine Alfredo EVER

2007-03-09T13:06:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

3 oz. cream cheese
3 TBS butter
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
Parsley, Italian seasoning, and black pepper to taste
8 oz. fettucine (8 oz. held together and looked at from the end is about the size of a quarter in diameter)
1 - 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast, cut in bite-size pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:-Prepare fettucine according to package directions.
-Saute chicken in olive oil in pan over medium-high heat, seasoning with Italian seasoning and black pepper. Add minced garlic to saute for the last 2 minutes.
-To prepare sauce, slowly melt cream cheese and then add the butter (which will melt much more quickly). Stir often to keep it from separating. Once they are both melted, add milk and cheese. Stir in parsley and black pepper to taste. Add chicken pieces and minced garlic. Pour sauce over fettucine.

Yeild: 2-3 servings (doubles/triples easily!)

Chicken Crescent Roll Pockets

2007-03-09T12:54:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 - 1 1/2 lbs. chicken breast
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 TBS butter, softened
Chopped onion, to taste (or minced onion can be substituted)
1/2 TBS milk
Parmesan to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls (8 rolls)

Instructions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces. Season with black pepper and/or other seasonings that you like and saute in olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. In another bowl, mix the next 6 ingredients together. Open the package of crescent rolls and separate them into squares (keeping every 2 triangles together). Pinch the seams together to make the triangles into squares. When the chicken is done, add it to the cream cheese mixture and then spoon the mixture into the squares. Bring the corners of the squares together, pinching together the sides. Turn the square over (so that the pinched seams are underneath) and brush the tops with melted butter.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden-brown.

Yield: 4 Pockets (serves 2-3 people)

Homemade Pizza Crust

2007-01-23T16:25:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. olive oil
2 1/2 - 3 1/2 cups flour
Cornmeal

Instructions:Dissolve yeast in warm water in a bowl. Add salt, olive oil, and 2 1/2 cups flour. Mix. Add remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough forms a ball. Knead for a few minutes. Place in a greased bowl, greased side up and covered, in a warm place till double (about 1 hour).
Preheat oven to 450. Punch dough down. Brush 14" pizza pan with oil; sprinkle with cornmeal. Press dough across into the pan, forming a collar around the edge to hold toppings. Add toppings as desired. Bake about 15-20 minutes.

Tip: The dough can be made the night before to make this meal into a 30-Minute Meal on the day of. After making the dough (which takes less than 10 minutes), place it in the greased bowl in the refrigerator and cover it loosely with a damp towel. The next day, it should take less than 10 minutes to get the pizza built and into the oven to bake.

Molasses Cookies

2007-01-23T16:22:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup solid Crisco
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter, shortening, and sugar for at least 3 minutes. Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Add molasses and eggs to the butter/sugar mixture. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Roll into 1" balls and roll tops in a bowl of sugar. Place on cookie sheets and bake about 11 minutes.

Cappuccino Muffins

2007-01-23T16:06:00.001-06:00

Ingredients:

For Muffins:

2 cups flour
3/4 cups sugar
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 TBS. instant coffee granules
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup miniature or regular semisweet chocolate chips

For Spread:

8 oz. cream cheese, softened and cubed
2 TBS. sugar
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375. Grease or line muffin cups.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. In another bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until coffee dissolves; add the butter, egg, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 17-20 minutes, then cool on wire racks.

To make the spread, combine all ingredients thoroughly. Store in the refrigerator.

*If you do not have instant coffee (I usually don't!), regular old finely ground coffee does just as well.
Yield: about 14 muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2007-01-05T16:41:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1/2 c. margarine or shortening, softened
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. pumpkin
1 12-oz. pkg. chocolate chips

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375*.
Cream butter and sugar for at least 3 minutes. Meanwhile, combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
Add egg and vanilla to butter/sugar mixture. Mix in dry ingredients, alternating with the pumpkin. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop onto cookie sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes.

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

2007-01-05T16:27:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 c. warm water (about 110*)
2 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 c. margerine, softened
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 egg
5 1/2 - 6 c. flour

Instructions:In a bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Stir in sugar, salt, egg, and margarine. Mix in flour by hand until easy to handle. Only use as much flour as necessary.
Grease another bowl with shortening and put ball of dough greased side up in the greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and place in the refrigerator about 2 hours.
Remove dough from refrigerator and knead for a few minutes. Roll dough out until it is about 10" x 15". Butter the dough and then sprinkle with brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Roll dough tightly. Cut off 1 1/2" - 2" slices and place in greased pan. Let rise in warm place about 1 1/2 hours or until double.
Preheat oven to 375*. Bake until golden brown on top, about 20-25 minutes. Do not overbake.
Serve with Orange Buttercream Frosting.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

2007-01-05T16:21:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter, softened
4-6 c. powdered sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp. vanilla (to taste)
3+ TBS. milk

Instructions:
Cream ingredients. Add more milk/sugar as needed in order to reach the desired amount and consistency.

*Variation:
For Orange Buttercream Frosting omit vanilla and use the same amount of Orange Juice. Tastes great on cinnamon rolls!